Niyel, a leading international impact-driven campaign, advocacy and African public affairs firm, has played a pivotal role in strengthening public policy and advocacy as one of the core organisers of the inaugural Africa AI Conference 2023.
The conference, themed ‘Advancing responsible and open AI ecosystems in Africa’, provided a platform for thought-leaders, policymakers, researchers and civil society representatives to explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa while addressing pertinent policy challenges.
At the forefront of shaping Africa’s AI landscape, Niyel hosted a panel discussion titled ‘Policy challenges of AI in Africa: Boosting the engagement of African decision-makers’. This session brought together key stakeholders to delve into crucial factors such as regulatory frameworks, legislative considerations, best practices and innovative solutions which can drive the AI sector forward and strengthen decision-makers’ roles at a country level.
Director of Advocacy and Impact at Niyel, Laetitia Badolo, highlighted the firm’s commitment to building an inclusive and responsible AI ecosystem in Africa. “At Niyel, we recognise that AI has the potential to revolutionise Africa’s development, but it must be harnessed responsibly. We aim to address policy challenges surrounding AI adoption and facilitate meaningful engagement between decision-makers and stakeholders. We believe in creating sustainable synergies that prioritise Africa’s cultural values and nurture a sense of patriotism while embracing AI-driven progress,” she said.
The prevailing sentiment expressed by all the stakeholders about the human element of AI was evident in every conversation, primarily as human truth is used to train AI. The multiple diverse human viewpoints and biases create a more accurate information-rich environment for AI.
The discussions explored inclusive policies, encouraging research and development in AI technologies, establishing guidelines for AI adoption, promoting open data initiatives and ensuring that data sources are accessible, and fostering cross-sector collaborations to drive innovation and create solutions that address local needs.
Niyel aims to address policy challenges using data-based evidence, as provided by the research institutions with which they are in partnership to move Africa’s AI ecosystem forward, creating a tangible positive impact across the continent.
Collaboration was a recurring theme echoed by Dr. Laure Tall, Director of Research at Initiative Prospective Agricole et Rurale (IPAR), an African think-tank based in Senegal. She stressed the significance of collective efforts involving relevant stakeholders to establish tailored frameworks that align with Africa’s unique context.
Project Lead, AI/Machine Learning at Rwanda Centre for 4th Industrial Revolution (C4IR), Alain Ndayishimiye said: “Since 2020, we have put in place a data protection law to look at data protection with the use of AI, and are in the process of developing a national AI research agenda which includes a vibrant ecosystem for local and international participation – establishing a roadmap to determine public and private sector adoption of AI. We firmly believe that AI can help to achieve the SDG goals by 2030”.
As a driving force for change, Niyel’s unwavering dedication to advancing responsible and open AI ecosystems in Africa solidifies its position as a key player in shaping AI policy and advocacy. The firm continues to work tirelessly in collaboration with policymakers, civil society organisations and research institutions, advocating for progressive AI policies and practices which align with Africa’s needs, promote ethical and inclusive development, and bridge the digital divide.
